Mara nodded, turning to lead him across the hall to Elara's chambers.
On entering, the first thing Keane noticed was that the suite was significantly larger than his room, with multiple areas divided accordingly with curtains covering the entrances. The main room featured plush seating, a writing desk with parchment and quills, and tapestries depicting merchant caravans and exotic landscapes.
Behind one of the curtains, a large copper tub steamed invitingly, filled with clear water that carried the subtle scent of herbs and flowers. Towels and soaps had been arranged nearby, speaking to the inn's quality and Elara's status.
'Soaps, eh? Didn't think they'd have that.' Keane thought to himself, going by the everyday's man knowledge of medieval times.
"Will you need anything else?" Mara asked, her voice catching slightly as Keane began to unfasten his tunic.
He paused, studying her reaction almost from the corner of his eye. The flush that crept up her neck was unmistakable, her breathing quickening as she struggled to maintain her composure.
"Actually," he said, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone, "I might need help washing my back."
The suggestion hung in the air between them, charged with possibility. Mara's internal struggle played across her features, desire warring with loyalty to her mistress.
"I—" she began, then stopped, swallowing hard. "I should not. Lady Elara would not approve."
Her words carried the weight of genuine concern, yet her body betrayed her true desires. Keane could see the war raging within her, the careful balance between duty and want that defined her existence in Elara's service.
In such a scenario she would need a little guidance, but Keane was almost having fun making her fall herself.
"Elara isn't here," Keane pointed out, his enhanced Charisma weaving through his words like silk. "And what she doesn't know..."
The unfinished sentence lingered between them, heavy with implication. Mara's resolve wavered visibly, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the fabric of her dress.
Like a seductive serpent with poison in its words disguised as honey to woo the feint of hearts, Keane leaned a bit closer, "what she doesn't know won't hurt her," he finished, his voice a caress against her senses.
Mara's breath caught in her throat. The room suddenly felt too warm, the steam from the bath enveloping them both in a cocoon of heat and possibility. Her loyalty to Elara seemed to have finally broken, lifting her hand over to touch Keane's chest, but just before contact, someone knocked on the door.
Her breath almost stopped as she heard the sound, while Keane couldn't help but smile, suppressing a grin while a bit disappointed, as things were just about to get fun.
Mara hurried to the door to open it, and when she did, she found Lina standing outside holding extra towels and a trail of olives and grapes.
Mara's heart calmed seeing as it was not Lady Elara, but the close call had left her shaken, perhaps it was a sign…
While Lina went in to drop the things she brought, Mara took another wanting look at Keane, then she stepped out of the room, leaving Keane and Lina.
Lina set down the extra towels and tray of olives and grapes, her eyes lingering on Keane with undisguised fascination. Unlike Mara's conflicted desire, Lina's interest was more straightforward, the natural attraction of youth drawn to something extraordinary.
"Will you be needing any other thing?" She asked before she even realised it.
"No worries, that will be all for now." Keane said, dismissing her. Though she was quite pretty and well developed, she looked to be in her late teens, it wasn't quite his style, besides, this wasn't his room, it would be quite distasteful to be walked in upon.
With no one there but himself, Keane proceeded to enjoy his bath, serving himself a few grapes and olive. Once he was done, he dried himself and made his way to his room.
He was initially concerned about how he would leave the room, but as though she had been spying on him, Mara came back at just the right moment.
Seeing as she had made such a strong effort to run away from him, Keane didn't push it, at least not so soon, ladies like her needed ripening.
Going back to his room, he was quite disappointed that he would have to change into the same clothes, but that was the reality of things.
With nothing to do inside his room, he stepped outside for air, the inn's courtyard alive with merchants and different personalities.
While Keane lamented for a moment about his clothes, Lina appeared seemingly out of nowhere, her hazel eyes bright, matching the smile she had on her face. "Heard you mention clothes," she said, her voice eager. "There's a night market nearby. I could… show you around, if you'd like."
Keane studied Lina's eager face carefully, suspicion flaring briefly in his mind. The sudden appearance and convenient offer seemed too perfect, especially given his current predicament.
"I don't have any money," he said bluntly, watching her reaction.
Lina's smile didn't falter. "I can lend you some coin," she said, her tone carrying a note of genuine helpfulness that caught Keane off guard. "The night market has good deals, you'll definitely find what you need."
Her offer was straightforward, without the layers of political maneuvering he'd grown accustomed to from Elara or the conflicted desire radiating from Mara. There was something refreshingly honest about Lina's approach, though Keane's instincts still whispered warnings.
"Can you just leave your work to escort me around at night? This should be busy hours, right?" he asked, studying her face for any hints of deception.
Lina's laugh was light and genuine, her hazel eyes sparkling with mischief. "The innkeeper's my uncle," she explained, tucking a strand of brown hair behind her ear. "He won't mind if I slip away for a bit, especially if it's to help one of Lady Elara's guests." Her gaze lingered on Keane's face with undisguised admiration. "Besides, the night shift girls can handle things."
The explanation made sense, though Keane noted how her eyes seemed to drink in his features.
"Oh, is that so?" Keane said, his tone light. 'Then again, I am only old in spirit right now.' He thought to himself.
"Of course… besides, I don't mind helping someone who saved Lady Elara's caravan." She said.
Word of his heroics had clearly spread among the inn's staff, perhaps too quickly in fact.
"As for money, don't worry about that," she said, waving a dismissive hand. "I've got some coin saved up. Consider it an investment in... friendship."
The way she emphasized the last word made her intentions clear enough.
Picking up on the possible subtle calculation behind her eager facade, it very well could not have been mere generosity, but a bid for his attention, perhaps even his bed. The girl was young, pretty, and clearly smitten, but also shrewd enough to recognize an opportunity when she saw one.
"That's generous of you," Keane said.
But then again, she could have just been a young girl in love.